The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - What role do county policies and processes and the design and operation of automation and data systems play in determining the state ’s error rates in each program? Do some counties have significantly higher or lower error rates than others and are there practices or other circumstances that contribute to this  variation?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: Streamlining California’s Affordable Housing Funding System

Mar 6, 2026 - We find that designating the vast majority of private activity bonds for this purpose, as CDLAC has done, is consistent with good public policy given (1)  the state ’s priority to support more affordable housing and that (2)  doing so unlocks federal funding via the 4   percent tax credits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5154

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare

Mar 3, 2026 - What do youth and families view as the most notable results or effects of the funding? What have been obstacles, challenges, or delays to implementation? To what extent and how have DSS and program partners been able to address these issues?
https://lao.ca.gov/publications/report/5147

Implementing California’s Child Welfare Prevention Services Program

Jan 28, 2026 - Does not meet criteria Programs that do not meet any of the other rating thresholds upon review of all studies are rated as not currently meeting criteria. There are a few advantages to states choosing well ‑supported programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5106

The 2026-27 Budget: CalWORKs

Feb 18, 2026 - We do not recommend any adjustments to the proposed budget related to unspent TANF funds at this time. Federal TANF Program Provides Flexible Funding. Federal law gives states significant flexibility in how they use TANF block grant funds and related MOE expenditures.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5122